1. Lawn Care Present by Dr. Teri Hamlin Georgia Department of Education
Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office
June, 2002

2. Turf Facts
There are an estimated 800,000 acres of home lawns in Georgia
The average homeowner spends $ / acre annually to maintain lawn
$312 million total turf maintenance expenditures

3. Get to know your grass Type: Cool Season Warm Season
Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass, Bentgrass
Warm Season
Bermuda, Centipede, Zoysia, St. Augustine

4. Methods for Establishment
Seeding
Plugging
Sprigging
Sodding

5. Soil Test

6. Soil pH
pH governs the availability of nutrients & activity level of microorganisms

7. Most lawns grow best in a soil pH 5.5 - 6.5
Low pH < than 5.0 (acidic soil)
Dolomite or Limestone
Avoid over liming - weak growth will result
High pH > 7.0 (alkaline soil)
Ammonium sulfate , Aluminum sulfate, Sulfuric acid

8. Establishment Steps Rake & Remove Debris Weed Seed Germination
Add Nutrients & Lime
Soil Test Recommendation
Phosphorous (2-3 lb per 1000 sqft)
Application of Seed, Sprigs, Sod, Plugs
Rake & Roll
ensure good soil contact

9. Seed Label Information
Name of seed producer
Seed Lot #
Seed Variety
% Purity
% Germination
% Weed or Crop Seed
% Non-Seed Material
Date when seed was last tested for Germination
Seed Label Information
What are you buying????

10. How much seed do you need?
Based on % pure live seed & # of plants required for area
GOAL
Establish 1000 plants per square foot for newly seeded lawn

11. Pure Seed or Mixture Mixture What can be mixed?
meets wide environmental & use requirements
select mixture based on desired characteristics
turfgrass vary in resistance to disease and insects
What can be mixed?
Any turf that spreads by rhizomes or tillers
(Fescue, Bluegrass, Ryegrass)
Do not use stolon grasses, tend to segregate
Bermuda, Bentgrass, Zoysia, Centipede, St Augustine)

12. Seedbed must stay moist for seeds to germinate
Water
Seedbed must stay moist for seeds to germinate
1st 3 weeks
Seed & Sprigs
Keep moist by frequent, light watering until new root system develops

13. Sodding Any turfgrass that spreads by rhizomes or stolons
Best Time: when turfgrass is actively growing
Advantages:
Instant Lawn
Less Weed Competition
Decrease Erosion
Disadvantages
High cost

14. Installing Sod
Cost More
Instant Lawn

15. Sodding
Cost: $ / sqft
12” wide x 2’ long to 18” wide x 6’ long
Pallet = 450 sq ft
Thickness 1” - 1 1/2”
1/2” should be soil & roots

16. Sprigs & Plugs Most common: Bermuda & Bentgrass Sold by Bushel
1 Bushel = 1 sqft of sod
Home Lawn: Sprig 4-5 Bushels per 1000 Sq ft
Trays of 1-2 Dozen (4”pots)

17. Early Spring to Late Summer
Sprigs & Plugs
Time of Year
Early Spring to Late Summer
Spacing
10-12” apart, checkerboard
Planting
set root systems completely under soil surface
Soil Contact
Roll area after planting

18. Heavily soaked so that soil underneath is completely wet
Water
Sod & Plugs
Heavily soaked so that soil underneath is completely wet

19. Establishment Mowing Weed Control
as soon as grass gets high enough to cut at its optimum height
Weed Control
1st year chemical weed control is discouraged

20. Converting Old Lawns Grass selection:
Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede conversion
2 year for conversion
Steps:
1. Cut Lawn Closely
2. Dethatch / Aerification
3. Correct pH / Nutrient Level
4. Sprig / Plug / Seed
5. Roll & Water Thoroughly

21. Maintenance of Established Lawns
Fertility
Major Nutrient
Nitrogen
Phosphorous
Potassium
Minor Nutrient
Sulfur
Magnesium
Iron

22. Maintenance of Established Lawns
Fertilizer Application
Type of grass
Soil Analysis
Fertilizer Burn
Salt Toxicity
Check spreader calibration

23. Spreader Selection & Application
Low quality spreader can leave streak or patches in the lawn
Causing unsatisfactory control of weeds, insects, as well as poor fertilizer performance

24. Drop vs Rotary Spreader
Drop Spreader
meter out fertilizer and drop it directly on lawn
Small lawn
Doing job as precisely as possible is important
don’t mind taking a bit longer

25. Drop vs Rotary Spreader
Rotary spreader meter out the fertilizer and throw granules in a swath
very large lawn
want to get the job done w/speed
don not have flowerbeds nearby

26. Best Results: Apply header strip along edge

27. When to Fertilize Cool Season Grass Warm Season Grass Fescue
Sept, Nov, Feb, April
Warm Season Grass
Bermuda: April, May, June
Centipede: June
Zoysia: April, June
St. Augustine: May, June, July, Aug

28. FESCUE ALERT! Fertilize fescue with caution.
Too much will make it disease prone and drought sensitive.
If you haven't fertilized in six weeks, apply now at half the rate recommended on the bag.

29. Maintenance of Established Lawns
Lime
Amount Based on Soil Test
Slow Release Lime
Apply : Fall

30. Irrigation
General Rule
1” water per week

31. How to measure ?

32. Water when dew is on the ground

33. Lack of Water Stress Signs
Grass turns a silvery blue in stress area
Footprints in lawn, does not spring back

34. Mowing
Avoid Scalping
Never cut more than 1/3 of leaf blade in one single mowing

35. Mowing too low
Decrease grass ability to develop food reserves for stress & dormant periods
Expose growing point to heat/cold
Larger % leaf cut the longer period root will not grow = shallow root system

36. Mowing recommended heights
remove no more than 1/3 total leaf area

37. Blade Sharpness

38. Mowing Equipment Rotary Mower vs Reel Mower Chemical Mowing
Growth Regulators reducing leaf growth

39. Reel Mower

40. Aerification Clay Soil Benefits Decrease compaction
Improves water movement
Increases irrigation efficiency
Increase oxygen exchange
Increase nutrient availability

41. Aerification Equipment Solid Tine Hollow Tine (Core Aerifiers)
Slicing / Vibrating Aerifers
High Pressurized Water & Air
(depths from 1/4” - 16”)

42. Aerification

43. Organic material produced faster than it can be decomposed
Thatch Management
Organic material produced faster than it can be decomposed
Problems
Decrease water movement
Decrease soil aeration
Decrease root growth
Increase insect/disease problems
Creates barrier for fertilizer movement

44. Thatch Management Look For Remove Thatch Spongy Turf
Cut section of turf & measure
No more than 1/2” thatch
Remove Thatch
Vertical mowers
Power rakes
Dethatching mowers

45. Problem Solving
ID Problem
Select Treatment Specific to Problem

46. Weeds Broadleaf & Grass-Type

47. Weed Control Pre-emergence Post-emergence
Apply: Feb -March & Sept - Oct
Balan, Surflan, Dacthal, Ronstar
Post-emergence
Apply: Summer during Early Weed Growth
MSMA, Trimec, Acclain, Weedar, Banvel

48. Disease Control
Brown Patch Dollar Spot
Banner, Tersan, Maneb, Topsin

49. Disease Pythium Blight / Root Rot /Fairy Ring
Alliette, Captan, Sudbue, Banol

50. Raking and Copper Sulfate
Moss Problem
Shade
Compact Soil
Poor Drainage
Low Soil Fertility
Poor Air Circulation
High or Low pH
Raking and Copper Sulfate
Change Conditions

51. Insects Feed on Roots White Grubs / Mole Crickets
Orthene, Sevin, Diazion
Milky Spore “Doom”
BT Powder
Jap. Beetle Grubs

52. Insects Feed on leaf Army Worms/Chinch Bugs Dursban, Diazion, Sevin
Damage results when chewed foliage dehydrates and turns brown

53. Fire Ants Drench: Dursban , Sevin Granular: Dursban, Diazion
Dust: Orthene
Liquid Fumigant: Earthfire
Bait: Amdro, Award, Affirm

54. Low Maintenance